Daniel Holt – Simulate Podcast 18
synth wave
Cute Heels – Beyond The War [SBOX011]
Five years ago, Cute Heels brought his unique blend to Schrödinger’s Box with Nepotism. The Colombian now returns to the Glasgow label, this time with a mini-LP packed to the rim with stone cold quality. Steady kicks give way to juddering bass and epic strings in the dynamic changeling that is “Beyond The War.” Shadows are cast by the EBM stained “Er Ist Nitch Du” and the smoky “Present Images” under the alias of Syndikat Komando Klub 98. Yet, despite these darker shades, the 12” is filled with brighter tones also. As Victor M Lenis R, “Breath of Freedom” beams with synth-disco laden lines. “Strange Forces” takes a similar path, chords shimmering against aquatic pads that bask in warmth. An italo streak enters with the playful melody and sun- soaked keys of “The Awake (Mexico City Mix), radiant notes countered by strong pulsing percussion. Beyond The War is a record as diverse as its creator. Traversing a spread of styles, Cute Heels has created a 12” that blurs perceived genres whilst maintaining the energy and zeal of the club.
Gravedad Cinética – Le Flaneur Spatial [AH006]
The new release from Aspecto Humano brings us a 12″ by Gravedad Cinética, electro project by Barcelona’s Adrián Costa AKA Groovycosta. The vinyl consists of five tracks with Electro as the main protagonist, although it’s not the only one. Lines with blunt bass, a variety of arpeggios and outer space melodies, are all combined with 808 drums. It’s kinetic music that creates a retro-futurist sound landscape with touches of classic Techno.
Angelo Repetto – Kamiokande [STRD-IV]
Listening to Angelo Repetto’s music, it leaves you with some kind of optimistic melancholy. There is always this touch of euphoric sadness in his melodies which he underlines with deep and heavy baselines. Kamiokande is the first release Angelo Repetto will present through his new musical home at Subject To Restrictions. The Zurich based producer is known for his live-sets he foremost performs for dancers in Zurich’s alternative scene. For this EP berlin Based Neu Verboten gave ‘Time Split’ a club-friendly retouch and delivered a strong Remix.
Aphonia – From A to B [WE011]
New instant classic by Aphonia, side project of Inhalt from Dark Entires fam., who join the Wrong Era-ship with eleven minutes of chills and goosebumps. Rolling through the depths to the surface, this is the sound of your wildest trips. Not italo, not cosmic, not deep: we’re not putting a label on this one. ? A remix from Kris Baha showing his flair for a downtempo industrial jam. Another by head-honcho Franz Scala adds his famous running Italian Dance brush.
De Ambassade – Standhouden [KH030]
On this third, consecutive 7” for Knekelhuis they showcase a slightly darker side, undoubtedly influenced by these current viral times. Still, shadows are always in need of light. These two anxious tunes are full of metal clanking, eerie synths and rolling basslines taking you straight into industrial territory, albeit with avant-pop leanings. De Ambassade will firmly hold their ground in the dead of night until the smoke clears and the agony of daylight returns.
Daniele Cosmo – Launching day & night
Leroy Se Meurt – La Chute [ET065/GOOILAND40]
The mixed background of this duo from Paris in electronic music and in punk-rock shapes the distinctive sound of Leroy Se Meurt. You can call it synth-punk, elektropunk, or simply post-punk for that matter.
VA – Lost & Found Vol. 1 [DED-1]
Dark Entries presents their first digital-only compilation, featuring reissued rarities and new songs from 10 key artists on the label (Bézier, Bill Converse, Billy Nightmare, Borusiade, Doc Sleep, Group Rhoda, Magnus II, Max Mann, Patrick Cowley and Sepehr).
En Direct – A Shattered Frame EP [LUN07]
Transmission incoming. ‚A Shattered Frame‘ is the follow-up to En Direct‘s 2018 debut. It contains five tracks of dark and weird origins, equally split between the obscure and the danceable.
L.F.T. @ HÖR (Berlin) 03.07.2020
VA – Wave Earplug No.4 [4MGLP17]
The fourth part of the Wave Earplug series trying to support the underground wave scene across Europe. This time artists come from Albania, Canada, Germany, France, Colombia, Slovakia, Sweden, Belgium and Hungary.
Absolut Unity – Persistence [TREAT02]
Absolute Unity is the new Dance Music project from Ryan Grieve, a cofounder of Hole In The Sky Records. Ryan has produced as one half of bands Canyons, Fred Cherry and Heart People, among others, with releases on labels DFA Records, Modular Recordings, Universal Music, Warner Music, Hole in the Sky & I’m A Cliche. Returning from the haze of major record label obscurity and confusion, Absolute Unity is a return to roots with a focus on simple, raw sounds aimed for DJs to play to dance floors.
Red Axes – Red Axes [DE-275]
2020 marks the tenth of collaboration for Red Axes, the Tel Aviv-based duo of Dori Sadovnik and Niv Arzi. Informed by post-punk, new wave, and a plethora of club sounds old and new, they have cleaved a singular path with their hefty discography. To celebrate their anniversary, they reunite with Dark Entries for an eponymous 11 track LP brimming with jagged guitars, spacy arpeggios, and hypnotic vocals. ‘Red Axes’ is their first effort written and conceived of as an album-length listening experience. This work flows effortlessly through a variety of stylistic detours, highlighting their ears as both keen listeners and skilled DJs. Opener ‘They Game’ is a grooving number that unifies the psychedelia of cosmic disco with the early 90s ‘baggy’ sound. The energy mounts further with “Shelera”, a guitar-driven acidic banger, and “Sticks and Stones”, a certifiable club hit fueled by sassy vocals courtesy of Adi Bronicki. Launching Side B is “Break the Limit”, an EBM-laced number that wouldn’t sound out of place on a Razormaid compilation. The following tracks wax moodier, with “Brotherhood (Of the Misunderstanding)” touching on darkwave territory. “Udibaby” and “Arpman” close out the album with their respectively dense and sparse takes on kosmische lysergia.
L.F.T. – Blood In The Grass LP [OE003]
Elena Colombi’s Osàre! Editions presents its third vinyl release: Blood in the Grass, an EP of electro tinged new wave from Hamburg-based producer Johannes Haas, aka L.F.T. (Love, Fist, Tears), the title of which takes inspiration from a 1966 tapestry work by the late Swedish-Norwegian textile artist Hannah Ryggen (1894-1970). Prompted by Colombi and Haas meeting on the dancefloor of Golden Pudel, the eight tracks run the gamut of darkwave and punk sounds, with Haas utilising Korg MS20 and Roland SH101 synthesisers to meld mutant acid with slamming synth lines, ear-worm melodies and opaque lyrics that are left open to interpretation. The new wave aesthetic he draws inspiration from is most evident on tracks Die Geldsmachine, No Covenent and the glistening Chloe-Rose, and with its howling guitar riffs and driving energy geared for late nights, Manon is a rough and ready punk anthem and a tribute to Haas’ “gang” of favourite people in Hamburg.
AngstLust – Animal Shelter EP [BAU015]
”AngstLust is a project of Kris Baha and Niklas Wandt merging their influences of early electronics into one hell of a sonic ride.”
